The body of an unidentified man was recovered from the Nkomazi River in Coopersdal near Komatipoort by the Ehlanzeni Diving Unit today, December 27.

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According to Pottie Potgieter of the diving unit, a member of the public reported seeing a body floating in the river near his farm.

“Upon our arrival, we discovered that the body had moved a further 2km downstream, and we had to act quickly to launch the boat from the muddy riverbank,” Potgieter said.

He added that upon examining the body, it was evident the man had been in the water for close to 10 days and that some body parts appeared to have been eaten by a crocodile.

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Police spokesperson Brigadier Donald Mdluli confirmed that the man has not yet been identified and urged anyone with information that could help trace his family to visit their nearest SAPS station.

*This article has been amended after publishing.